The reputation of a Cheltenham restaurant was "ruined" by a decision to suspend its licence – which was overturned this week.

Chelsea Bar and Brasserie owner Abdul Mannan says his "livelihood is destroyed" after the Home Office found an illegal immigrant working at the restaurant during a raid in February 2016.

The illegal worker, who was on a trial day, had provided staff with a fake Italian passport.

A decision to fine Chelsea Bar and Brasserie, in St George's Place, £15,000 and suspend its alcohol licence for two weeks was appealed at Bristol County Court on Monday – and the judge ruled in the restaurant's favour.

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But the damage done to its reputation is almost irreparable and four employees were made redundant after profits plummeted, Mr Mannan says.

Students from Gloucestershire College were formerly trained at the restaurant but he feels he "lost their trust" when the allegations were publicised.

"We had to make two full-time workers and two-part timers redundant to cover the £20,000 legal costs and a £120,000 loss in revenue," he told Gloucestershire Live.

Abdul Mannan

"It takes a lot of time to build a reputation – it has taken me five years – but it can be ruined very easily.

"My livelihood is destroyed because it has ruined my reputation and ruined my relationship with students at Gloucestershire College and their parents."

Mr Mannan added that all staff members are checked through the disclosure and barring service (DBS) - the new name for Criminal Record Barring (CRB) security checks - but because the illegal immigrant was on a trial shift, he was not under employment.

He said: "Every member of staff has a DBS check but we can only do that if we decide to employ someone or give them a contract.

"Before they start working they have to do a three to five day trial."

Chelsea Bar and Brasserie was one of three premises raided by police who found illegal immigrants on site.

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The restaurant, Indian Voojan, in Montpellier Street and Masala Bites, in Albion Street, were fined a total of £55,000.

Raids were carried out in February last year and Cheltenham Borough Council agreed the punishments in August.

Louis Krog, business support and licensing team leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "In light of the immigration issue, our licensing sub-committee decided to suspend the premises licence, however the suspension never actually came into effect.

"As the Immigration penalty appeal between the venue and the Home Office was upheld we didn't feel there were grounds to pursue the committee decision on appeal."

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire College said: "We have no comment to make on the relationship at this time."